<operating system> An integer, string or other small data
value which refers to one of several objects allocated to a
program by the operating system, usually the kernel. A
common example is a Unix file descriptor which is a small
integer that identifies an I/O channel. Another example is a
reference to an area of memory (e.g. shared memory).
Compare capability.
(1998-02-06)
Nearby terms:
descent function « Descriptive Intermediate Attributed Notation for Ada « Descriptive Top-Level Specification « descriptor » design » Design In Real Time » design pattern
